Posted October 2004 LOTE through the Learning Place
		Paul Stronach LOTE teacher Townsville State High School Students of Japanese at Townsville State High School have been practising their language skills online, with native speakers in Japan.

"A difficulty faced by many LOTE teachers is finding opportunities for students to communicate with native speakers," says Paul Stronach, LOTE teacher at Townsville State High School.

Paul wanted a way to make the Japanese language more relevant for his students, through using it in daily situations.

Paul had spent time as a teacher of English in Japan. He had professional contacts there who were keen for students to take part in online chats and forums. The difficulty lay in gaining approval for such an exchange from Japanese authorities.

"The Learning Place was able to assist by providing an acceptably secure environment," says Paul. "The technology was all set up and very easy to use – and it supports Japanese!"

The Learning Place set up a special Project Room where students could use chat rooms and forums and work on projects.

"Townsville students chat with students from Iwaki, our sister-city in Japan," Paul says. "They're practising what they're learning in their language classes as they communicate."

Chat sessions are also tied into integrated units of work between schools.

"Students volunteer for the project," Paul says. "They stay after school to take part. They form friendships, and they get research material from primary sources."

Students' enjoyment in learning a language has increased. The number of students continuing with LOTE studies has gone up significantly.

Teachers have more motivated, enthusiastic students. The project has also extended teachers' expertise in IT.

The project is continuing and will become an essential part of LOTE teaching at Townsville, with more activities planned for 2005.

"We're seeing students enthusiastic about studying a foreign language, and motivated to continue with it," says Paul. "And that's fantastic!"